Lateral Thinking Problems

Intelligent thought problems outside the bounds of straight logic.

Problem One: A man is found dead alone in a desert wearing a backpack. There are no footprints around him. What happened?

Problem Two: A man commits murder. He is found guilty and brought before a judge. The judge decides morally that he cannot sentence the murderer, despite his incontrovertible guilt. The murderer is sane, healthy, and legally culpable. Why must the judge set him free?

Problem Three: A man is afraid to go home, because he knows waiting for him there is another man -- wearing a mask. What's the situation?

Problem Four: A man goes into a pharmacy and talks to the pharmacist. The pharmacist pulls out a gun and points it at the man. They both shake hands and later the man departs satisfied. What happened?

Problem Five: A boy and his father are caught in a traffic accident, and the father dies. Immediately the boy is rushed to a hospital, suffering from injuries. But the attending surgeon at the hospital, upon seeing the boy, says "I cannot operate. This boy is my son." How is this situation explained?

Problem Six: Susan and Ralph are found dead on the floor, amidst a small puddle of water and some broken glass. They weren't poisoned. What happened?

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